Silver Beech – Lophozonia menziesii
Natural History
Other Names: Tāwhai. Previously known as Nothofagus menziesii.
Distinctive Characteristics: This evergreen tree, with small dark, double serrated shiny leaves sheds every 3–5 years throughout the growing season, leaving a carpet of lighter-colored dead leaves sprinkled on the forest floor. The silvery grey bark of older trees is rough and flaking, often covered in moss. On larger trees, the trunk is buttressed. This Beech is not related to the European or American Beech (Fagus).
Distribution: Native to New Zealand. Of the remaining native New Zealand vegetation (of which only approximately 10% is the original), there are two major forest types: the Kauri and the Beech forests. Beech forests are widespread. Elevation: on the South Island from sea level to 4,700 ft. (1,430 m), and on the North Island from sea level to 2,000 ft. (600 m).
Ecosystem: There are three species of Beech in New Zealand: Red Beech, Hard Beech, and Silver Beech, and two varieties: Black Beech and Mountain Beech. They may grow in combination, as pure forests (primarily in subalpine regions), or with other tree species, in lowland to montane to subalpine ecosystems. Silver Beech will hybridize with other Beeches. When in mixed forest, it is associated with trees including Miro and New Zealand Cedar in upper montane forests; with Rimu, Black Pine, Tōtara, and Podocarpus dacrydioides in lower montane forests; with Mountain Toatoa and Mountain Tōtara near timberline; and also with Tawa and Kauri. The strawberry fungus (Cyttaria gunnii) is found exclusively on the Silver Beech and has distinctive orange-yellow golf-ball-like fruiting bodies.
Maximum Age: Unknown.
Maximum Height and Girth: Up to 100 ft. (30 m) in height; up to 6.5 ft. (2 m) in circumference.
Animal Community: Kererū, the New Zealand pigeon, eats the flowers and leaves. Kākā birds peck at the bark looking for insect larvae. The leaves and trunks are chewed by caterpillars, moths, and many species of beetles. The tree supports other insects such as gall mites, weevils, whiteflies, scales, mealybugs, gall midges, and thrips.
Traditional Uses:
Tools and Objects: The bark was used to produce a black dye for coloring flax and cabbage tree leaves (Maori).
Modern Uses:
The bark has been used for tanning leather. The wood has been made into tubs, baskets, and wine casks. Around the turn of the 19th century, the wood was popular in France for making bedsteads and sideboards. It remains popular for artisan wood-turning.
Threats and Conservation: Not threatened.
Distinctive Characteristics: This evergreen tree, with small dark, double serrated shiny leaves sheds every 3–5 years throughout the growing season, leaving a carpet of lighter-colored dead leaves sprinkled on the forest floor. The silvery grey bark of older trees is rough and flaking, often covered in moss. On larger trees, the trunk is buttressed. This Beech is not related to the European or American Beech (Fagus).
Distribution: Native to New Zealand. Of the remaining native New Zealand vegetation (of which only approximately 10% is the original), there are two major forest types: the Kauri and the Beech forests. Beech forests are widespread. Elevation: on the South Island from sea level to 4,700 ft. (1,430 m), and on the North Island from sea level to 2,000 ft. (600 m).
Ecosystem: There are three species of Beech in New Zealand: Red Beech, Hard Beech, and Silver Beech, and two varieties: Black Beech and Mountain Beech. They may grow in combination, as pure forests (primarily in subalpine regions), or with other tree species, in lowland to montane to subalpine ecosystems. Silver Beech will hybridize with other Beeches. When in mixed forest, it is associated with trees including Miro and New Zealand Cedar in upper montane forests; with Rimu, Black Pine, Tōtara, and Podocarpus dacrydioides in lower montane forests; with Mountain Toatoa and Mountain Tōtara near timberline; and also with Tawa and Kauri. The strawberry fungus (Cyttaria gunnii) is found exclusively on the Silver Beech and has distinctive orange-yellow golf-ball-like fruiting bodies.
Maximum Age: Unknown.
Maximum Height and Girth: Up to 100 ft. (30 m) in height; up to 6.5 ft. (2 m) in circumference.
Animal Community: Kererū, the New Zealand pigeon, eats the flowers and leaves. Kākā birds peck at the bark looking for insect larvae. The leaves and trunks are chewed by caterpillars, moths, and many species of beetles. The tree supports other insects such as gall mites, weevils, whiteflies, scales, mealybugs, gall midges, and thrips.
Traditional Uses:
Tools and Objects: The bark was used to produce a black dye for coloring flax and cabbage tree leaves (Maori).
Modern Uses:
The bark has been used for tanning leather. The wood has been made into tubs, baskets, and wine casks. Around the turn of the 19th century, the wood was popular in France for making bedsteads and sideboards. It remains popular for artisan wood-turning.
Threats and Conservation: Not threatened.
